Scale or balance



Nov. 23, M543.

J. F. SULLIVAN 2,335,200

SCALE OR BALANCE Filed OCC. 20, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTORNEYNov. 23, 194s. J. 1-SULLIVAN 2,335,200

SCALE OR BALANCE lFiled Oct. 20, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 z- N [l]v u: /F mf INVENTOR D da mes E Si, /I/(mn Mflw if,

ATTORN EY Patented Nov. 23, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SCALE BBALANCE James F. Sullivan, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to The Exact WeightScale Company, Columbus, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October2|, 1941, Serial No. 415,747

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to a weighing scale, and more particularlyto a weighing scale in which the deflection of the scale beam isindicated by projecting the image of an index member by a mirror ormirrors to a position where it can be readily read, the image beingcaused to move when the scale beam is deflected.

An object of the invention is to provide a weighing scale having alongitudinally extending scale beam-and a load platform and a weightplatform on the beam, and mechanism at one end oi' the beam forprojecting an image of an index member vertically and then horizontallyonto a translucent screen, the mechanism including two verticallyextending posts, which posts support a deilector for reflecting thevertically projected image horizontally, and a bracket carried by theposts for supporting the translucent screen.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein apreferred form of embcxiiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig l is a side view of a weighing scale, certain parts of the scalebeing shown in section and certain other parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, and on a larger scale,of the weighing scale showing mechanism for projecting an image of anindicating member, the view being taken from the opposite side of theweighing scale as viewed in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the weighing scale showing a reflectordevice;

Fig. 5 is a side view, partly in section, of the reflector shown in Fig.4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of the weighing scale, the view being takenon line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a bracket; and,

Fig. 8 is a view in elevation of an indicating member.

For the purpose of illustrating a preferred form of embodiment of thepresent invention, I have shown, in the drawings. a weighing scale 2li.The weighing scale comprises an elongated base 2 i, which is preferablyformed of a suitable metal casting, and a scale beam 22 is lpivotallysupported on the base by pivots 23, only one appearing in the drawings.'I'he pivots are supported on a U shaped support member 24, the yoke ofthe member 24 being, attached to the base 2i. The scale beam 22 isformed by a rectangular shaped frame, which type is well known and istherefore not shown in detail, and a load platter 23 is pivotallymounted on one end of the beam and a weight platter 21 is pivotallymounted on the opposite end of the beam. The platters 23 and 21 aremounted on the scale beam by a suitable type of pivotal support, andthey are maintained in a horizontal plane during oscillation of the beam22 by a check rod, which rod is not shown since it is a commonly knownexpedient in the art.

The scale beam 22 is connected at one end with the plunger of a dash pot23 by a stem 28 that extends outwardly from a cross member 30 of thebeam. 'I'he dash pot 23 is of conventional design and it functions inthe usual manner. Oscillation of the scale beam about its pivots islimited by studs 3| threaded in the base 2i. 'I'hese studs formadjustable stops.

A rod 32, forming an extension of the scale beam, is attached to thecross member 30 of the scale beam by threading one end of the rod in themember. The rod 32 is locked in position by a lockrnut 33.

Two vertically extending posts 3B are mounted on the base 2l adjacentthe end of the rod 32. These two posts are attached to the base 2| bythreading the ends thereof 'in openings in the base. The diameters ofthe threaded ends of the posts 33 are smaller than the diameters cf theposts proper for forming annular shoulders that engage the top of thebase 2| for maintaining the posts 38 upright. One of the posts 36 issubstantially in alignment with the end of the rod 32, and two flatblocks 31 are mounted on the latter post. The blocks 31 are providedwith openings through which the post extends and the blocks are lockedin adjusted position on the post by set screws, one of which is shown at38, threaded in an opening formed in one side of the blocks. A

pair of resilient metallic strips 4B are provided,-

one end of each of the strips being attached to the end of the rod 32and the opposite ends, of the strips being attached to the blocks 31,respectively. The strips 40 function in the usual manner and they areset properly by positioning the blocks on the posts 33 at predeterminedpoints.

A tare bar 44 is mounted on the scale beam and along one side thereof,and a poise 43 is mounted on the bar. The tare bar and poise areprovided for weighing loads weighing fractions of pounds. A slide bar 46is mounted on the opposite side of the scale beam and a balance member41 is slidably mounted on this bar. Theslide bar and balance member areprovided for effecting a tare when it is desired to determine the netweight of material in a container.

Also, a counterwelght 48 is threaded on the rod 32 for balancing thescale beam.

I have provided a mechanism at one end of the base 2| for indicating thedeflection of the scale beam, the mechanism being arranged to project animage of an index member moved by the scale beam onto a screen that isvisible to the scale operator. The index member is supported on the rod32, and it comprises a relatively small wire 49'that is mounted on anannular member 50 so that it extends transversely of the opening in thelatter. 'I'he Wire 49 is secured to the member 50 by two flat clamps,shown at 5| in Fig. 8. The annular member 50 is formed having aperipheral flange 52 which is inserted in a ring 53. 'I'he ring iscounterbored at one side and the peripheral edge of the member-50 restsin this counter bored portion. The annular member 50 is secured to thering 53 by screws 54 that are threaded into the ring 53, the heads ofthe screws overlapping the peripheral edge of the member 50. The ring 53is provided with a stem 55, which extends in an opening through anenlarged portion 56 of the rod -32 and the stem is secured in theopening by a set screw, not shown. The annular member 50 is positionedin the ring 53 so that the wire 49 extends in a substantially horizontaldirection.

A beam of light is projected in the direction of the wire 49 by anelectric lamp 60 and condensing lensesl 8| and 62. The lamp is supportedon a bracket 63 that is mounted on the base member 2|. 'Ihe bracket 63includes an upwardly extending wall 64 having a laterally extendingportion 65 at the top thereof. The portion 65 is provided with anopening therethrough and a bayonet type light bulb socket 66 is securedin the opening by a set screw 61. The lamp 60 is a low voltage type,such as 6 volts, for example, and it is secured in the socket 66, by theusual bayonet type prongs. The wall 64 of the bracket 63 is providedwith an opening 68 therethrough that is in alignment with the lamp 60.'I'he mouths of the opening 68 are flared for forming annular shouldersin which the lenses 6| and 62 engage. These lenses are maintained intheopening 68 by annular fiber discs 69 that are suitably attached to thewall 64.

'I'he lamp 60 is energized by a low voltage transformer, which ismounted on the under side of the base 2| and which is not shown sincethese types of transformers are well known in the art. I'he transformeris connected with the usual high voltage current source by cabled wiresas indicated at 10. A manual switch, indicated at 1|, is provided forcontrolling energization of the transformer. One side of the low voltagecircuit of the transformer is connected with the frame 2| and the otherside of the coil is connected with the socket 66 by a connectorindicated at 12. When the light bulb 60 is lit, the light rays arecondensed by the lenses 6| and 62 and a beam kof light is projectedtoward the wire 49. Preferably, a light shield 13 is secured to the wall64 of the bracket 63 for purposes that will appear hereinafter.

Bracket 63 is provided with a second vertical wall 16, which wallconfronts the wall64. The Wall 16 is provided with an opening 11there--4 through, which opening is axially aligned with the opening 68in the Wall 64. A magnifying lens unit 18 is mounted in the opening 11.The unit 18 includes a tubular member 19 having the inside diameterat-one end thereof reduced and the outer portion of a. magnifying lens80 abuts opposite end of the cylinder forms a shoulder.

against which a second magnifying lens 82 is pressed by a sleeve 83threaded in the tubular member 19, the sleeve having an annular shoulderthat engages the outer edges of the lens 8|. 'I'he lens unit 18 issecured in the opening 11 by a set screw 84 and it is adapted to projectthe image of the wire 49 onto a reflector 90, which reflector isinclined at 45 degrees with respect to the projected image forreflecting the image vertically. M,

The reector 90 comprises a rigid bracket 8| that is secured to thebracket 63 and it extends upwardly at approximately a 45 degree anglewith the top surface of the base 2| 'I'he bracket 9| is provided with arectangular inset portion 92' and a mirror 93 is placed in the offsetand retained there by two clips on opposite sides of the bracket, one ofthe clips being shown at 94. A reflector 96 is mounted between the posts36 above the reflector 90. The reflector 96 comprises a flat rectangularplate 91, having an enlarged section 88 formed across the back thereof,

which section projects beyond opposite sides of the plate, theprojecting portions of the section being cylindrical in shape. Thesection 98 is provided with openings through each end thereof forreceiving the posts 36 and is' secured on the posts 36 by set screws 99thereby fixing the position of the plate 91 intermediate the posts. Theaxis of the openings through the section 98 extend at a 45 degree anglewith the plate so that 4 reflector 96 and projected laterally in a planethat is substantially parallel with the top surface of base 2|.

A screen |02 is mounted on a bracket |04 and .is arranged to receive theimage reflected by the mirror |00. The bracket |04 is rectangularlyshaped, having two enlarged lugs |05 at one end thereof, which lugs haveopenings |06 therethrough for receiving the top ends of the posts 36.The diameters of the upper portions of the openings |06 are reduced forforming a socket for receiving the top ends of the posts 36, and bolts,one of which appears at |01, are extended through each opening |06 andthreaded into the upper ends of the posts 36. The opposite end of thebracket |04 is formed having a cross member |08, the surface of whichmember is inclined slightly with respect to the axis of the openings|86. Cross member |08 is provided with two openings |09 therethrough,bywhich the -screen |02 is secured to the bracket by screws, not shown.

The screen |02 comprises a flat rectangular frame ||0 having arectangular shaped opening therethrough. The frame is offset on one sidethereof adjacent the edges of the opening and a rectangular shaped plateof etched glass I3 is mounted on the offset by suitable clips, not

will appear as a dark, horizontally extending line. Thus, when the scalebeam is deilected one way or the other, the image of the wire will movethrough a much greater distance than the actual movement of the Wire bythe scale beam.

An adjustable pointer device ||5 is mounted on the side of the frame H0,which device comprises a spring clip ||6 having jaws that frictionallyengage opposite sides of the frame ||0 and which jaws can be spread byhandles attached thereto, one of which handles is shown at |I1. Apointer ||8 extends from one of the jaws of the clips and over thesurface of the glass i I3. It is apparent that the pointer device can beraised or lowered on the frame H by merely releasing the clip H0 andsliding it on the frame to the desired position.

The mechanism for projecting the image of the wire 49 and the screeni'or receiving the image are inclcsed by a substantially light proofcasing |20. Casing |20 is comprised or two complementary sections |2|and |22, one of which sections has a ange |23 over which the other ofthe sections slides, for preventing passage of light through the jointof the sections. The sections are attached to the base 2| by ilanges H9,which flanges are suitably secured to the base, as by bolts, forexample. The end of the casing adjacent the screen |02 is provided witha window |24, which window is in registration with the 30 screen |02.The window |24 includes arrame |25 and a. clear glass |20 mounted in theframe. n opening |21 is also formed in the casing |20 through which therod I2 extends and the shield I13 prevents light from the bulb 00 frombeing projected through the opening |21. A slot |24 is iormed in thecasing through which the handles ||1 of the clip ||8 extend so that theclip Ill can be raised .and lowered along the frame ||I from theexterior of the casing. Y

1.', In operating the scale, the beam 22 is placed in balance andthepointer I II ismmade to coinoidewith the image 0i' the wire 4I on theglass .lll for indicating a balanced condition of the scale beam. fTheweight desired is placed on the platter 21 and then kthe material to belweighed is placed on the platter 20, and when the proper quantity ofmaterial has been placed on the platter, the image of the wire 40 willcoincide with the pointer IIB. 'Ihe image of the wire 49 can lbe readilyobserved by the operator of the scale since it appears above the scalebeam and substantially opposite the operator as the operator faces theload platform 28. The mechanism for projecting the wire 49 is located atone end of the scale beam and out o! the way of the operator. The screenfor receiving the image and the reilector for reflecting the image onthe screen are mounted on common supports so that proper alignment oithe image on the screen is always assured.

Also, by mounting the flex strips at one end of the rod 32 and on oneoi' the posts l0, a compact and easily assembled and adjusted scalemechanism is provided.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as hereindisclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood thatother forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claimswhich follow.

I claim: l. In a weighing scale, a base; a beam lsupport on the base; ascale beam pivotally mounted on the beam support; a load platter and aweight platter on said beam, one of said platters being positionedrearwardly of the other, said beam lo including a part extendingrearwardly beyond said one platter; a vertically extending post on saidbase adjacent the rearward end of said part of the beam; a flex stripconnected with the post at one end and with said part of the beam at theother end; means for projecting the image of an index in an upwarddirecticnLsaid means including a member movable by the beam; a reilectormounted on said post and above the scale beam, said reilector beingarranged to reflect said image forwardly; a bracket carried by said postand extending forwardly: and a Window member carried by said bracket,said window member being in alignment with the reflected image. 2. In aweighing scale, a base; a beam support on the base; a scale beampivotally mounted on the beam support; a load platter and a weightplatter on said beam, one of said platters being positioned rearwardlyof the other, said beam including a part extending rearwardlybeyond saidone platter; a vertically extending post on said base adjacent the outerend of said part of the beam; means for projecting the image of an indexin an upward direction, said means including a member movable by thebeam: a reilector 35 mounted on said post and above the scale beam, saidrenector being arranged to reflect said image forwardly; a bracketcarried by said post and extending forwardly; and a window membercarried by said bracket, said window member being in alignment with thereilected image.

8. In a. weighing scale, a base; a beam support on the base; a scalebeam pivotally mounted on the beamvsupport; a. load platter and a weightplatter on said beam, one o1' said platters being positioned rearwardlyof the other, said beam including e. part extending rearwardly beyondsaid one platter; a vertically extending post on said base adjacent therearward end of said part of the beam; means for projecting the image ofan index in an'upward direction, said means including a, light projectoradjacent said part of the beam and to one side of said platter, an indexmember and a lens member arranged in optical alignment with one another,one of said members being carried on said part of the scale beam, saidlight projector being arranged to project a beam oi light on the indexmember and through the lens member, and a reflector in alignment withsaid light beam and adjacent said post for retlecting said light beamupwardly; a reilector mounted on said post and above the scale beam,said reilector being arranged to reilect said image forwardly; a bracketcarried by said post and extending i'orwardly; and a window membercarried by said bracket, said window member being in alignment with thereilected image.

JAMES F. SULLIVAN.

